Malawi’s Vice–President Dr. Saulos Chilima was arrested by the Anti Corruption Bureau in Lilongwe over corruption allegations on Friday. The 49-year-old economist and politician is accused of corruption and accepting bribes in exchange for awarding government contracts, allegations to which he pleaded not guilty.
Between March and October 2021, Dr. Saulos allegedly received US$280,000 among other items from a UK-based businessman Zuneth Sattar, said the press statement issued by the anti-corruption bureau. The company owned by Mr.Sattar would be awarded contracts by the Malawi government in exchange, it is claimed.
Dr. Chilima will be tried in court for 3 counts of corrupt practices, 2 counts of abuse of office, and 1 count of failing to make a full report to a police officer or officer of the Bureau.
Malawi has a long history of corruption. In 2021, it ranked 110 out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perception Index.
